Self-regulating distilling apparatus



(No Model.)

S. L. BIG'ELOW. SELF RBGULATING .DISTILLING APPARATUS.

No. 564,734. Patented Ju1y'28, 1896.A

li Q

VUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL LAVRENCE BIGELOW, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SELF-REGULATING .DISTl-LLING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,734, dated July 28,1896.

Application iiled MayZZ, 1895. Serial No. 550,162. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern.:

Be it known that l, SAMUEL LAWRENCE BIGELOW, of Boston, county ofSuffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inSelf-Regulating Distilling Apparatus, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a self-regulatingdistilling apparatus whereby continuous distillation may be carried outwithout the care or attention of an attendant, the weight of the fluidto be distilled as it is contained in the receiver o r convertercontrolling the inlet or admission valve automatically, whereby, when aportion of the fluid has been converted into vapor, the valve will beopened to admit a fresh quantity of the iiuid from the source of supply.

In accordance therewith my invention consists in a self-regulatingdistilling apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as will behereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure l is a front view of a distilling apparatus embodying one form ofmy invention, the converter being shown in the position assumed whenempty. Fig. 2 is a left-hand side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l,looking toward the right, the position of the converter when properlyfilled being shown by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional viewof the converter, showing the location of the inlet and outlet passages.Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the inlet-valveshown in Fig. l; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail, also partly insection, of th outlet and its bearing.

l have herein shown the apparatus as comprising abody or converter a, ofcopper, brass, or other suitable material, having at its upper end asuitable boss a to receive a closure a2, whereby access can be had tothe interior of the converter for cleaning or other purposes.

The converter a has secured thereto at opposite sides hollowr journalsor trunnions b and c, forming a fluid-inlet and a vapor-outlet,respectively, the inner end of the journal b being bent downward withinthe converter and extended to its lower end, as at b', Fig.

3, while the inner end of the journal c is extended toward the upperportion of the body, as at c.

A suitable base CZ is provided with upturned standards d d2 to providesupports for the journals or trunnions of the converter, the arm CZ'having secured thereto a tubular bearing c2 in alinement with and toreceive the outer end c3 of a nipple c4, (shown in Figs. l and 5 asthreaded onto the journal 0,) or the journal may project directly intothe bearing. By this connection between the journal c and its bearing c2a pipe or tube (not shown) may be connected to the latter to conduct thevapor to a suitable condenser, the stationary bearing c;2 preventingtwist of the connectingpipe.

I have shown herein a simple form of plugvalve for controlling the inletof the iiuid to be distilled to the converter, Vwhereby movement of theconverter -on its trunnions will open or close the valve.

Referring to Figs. l and 4, the hollow7 journal or trunnion b hassecured thereto or forming a part of it a conical valve b2, havingtherein a longitudinal passage b3 (see Fig. 4) and transverse .openingsb4, the valve being rotatably mounted in a valve-casing b5, rigidlysecured to the standard d2 by an elbow be, which is provided with anipple o7, to which a pipe or tube connecting with the source of fluidsupply may be attached. Openings b5 in the valve-casing establishcommunication between the source of fluid supply and the inlet-trunnionb when the valve-passages b4 are made to register therewith. The closedouter end of the valve is preferably recessed to receive the pointed endof a bearing-screw bs, extended through the standard cl2, as shown inFig. l, whereby the rotative movement of the trunnions can be adjustedand wear compensated for.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that partial rotationof the converter a on its axis will move the valve b2 in its seat toclose or open to a greater or less extent, so that the movement of theconverter will perfectly control the entrance of the iiuid to bedistilled.

The converter has secured thereto an arm a3, on which acounterbalancing-weight w is adj ustably held, as by a set-screw l0,Fig. 2, the trunnions being so attached to the con- IOO verter that thecounterbalance will be at one side thereof and the center of gravity ofthe fluid in the converter Will be at the other side.

When the proper quantity of uid is in the converter, its Weight willovercome the connterbalance and turn the converter into dottedlineposition, Fig. 2, when a projection or lug 25 thereon Will bear againstthe standard d', or any other fixed object, limiting the oscillation,the movement into such position also closing the inlet-valve b2 andpreventing the admission of more fluid.

As the fluid is heated by means of a Bunsen burner B, or any source ofheat, Figs. l and 2, it will be more or less vaporized, the vaporpassing off through the journal or trunnion c and its bearing c2 to thecondenser, and as the Weight of the fiuid is thus diminished thecounterbalance w Will tend to turn the converter a toward the full-lineposition, Figs. l and 2, opening the valve b2 sufficiently to admitenough fluid from the source of supply to again return the converter todotted-line position, shutting the valve.

In practice the converter Will assume a position between the dotted andfull line positions, (shown in Fig. 2,) corresponding to the rate ofevaporation, so that the fresh fluid will be supplied as fast as aportion in the con verter is vaporized.

To prevent the converter from turning too far when empty, I have mounteda stop cl3 on the standard d', to engage the lug 25, as shown in fulllines, Fig. 2, the stop being preferably secured by a thumb-nut d4,whereby it can be turned out of the Way when desired.

As it is sometimes desirable to discharge the vapor into a condenserunder pressure I have provided the bearing c2 with a stuffingbox g,containing suitable packing g', Figs. I and 5, which prevents escape ofthe vapor at the joint made by the journal c and the bearing c2.

The inlet-valve is so arranged that it Will be shut when the converteris in dotted-line position, Fig. 2, and completely open when infull-line position.

The counterbalance w may be adjusted according to the Weight of theparticular fiuid to be distilled.

lVhile I have shown a convenient shape for the converter, my inventionis not restricted thereto, nor to the particular valve shown, for itwill be obvious that any valve may be interposed between the inlet b ofthe converter and the source of supply provided it is controlled by themovement of the converter when in operation.

The apparatus is adapted for the distillation of Water or any otherfluid, and if desired the vapor may be discharged in a vacuum.

Instead of supporting the journals or trunnions b and c in fixedbearings substantially as shown, it is obvious that the journalsthemselves might extend through suitable apertures in the standards cland cl2, if desired.

I claim- 1. In a self-regulating distilling apparatus, a support, aconverter movably mounted thereon, and immediately adjacent to thesource of heat provided therefor, a fluid-inlet and a vapor-outlet indirect communication with said converter, a valve in the inlet, tocontrol theentrance of the fluid to be distilled, and means to actuatethe valve by movement of the converter, caused by the vaporization ofthe fluid, substantially as described.

2. In a self -regulating distillin g apparatus, a converter to receivethe fluid to be distilled, a fluid-inlet extended thereinto andterminating near the lower end of the converter, a vapor-outletcommunicating with the upperend of said converter, a valve in said inletto regulate the entrance of the fiuid, means con trolled by the Weightof the fluid in the converter to actuate the said valve, and stops tolimit the extreme movement of the valve, substantially as described.

3. In a self-regulatin g distilling apparatus, a support, a convertermovably mounted to oscillate thereon, a counterbalance therefor, afluid-inlet and a vapor-outlet in constant communication with andforming journals for the converter, a valve in the inlet comprising tivomembers, one of which is movable relatively to the other, to regulatethe entrance of the fluid to be distilled, one of said members beingrigidly connected to, and controlled by said oscillatorymovement of theconverter due to the Weight of the Huid therein, whereby the entrance ofthe fluid to Vbe distilled is regulated, substantially as described.

4. In a self-regulating distilling apparatus, a support, aconverterprovided at either side with a suitable journal pivotallymounted in said support, a Huid-inlet and a vapor-outlet communicatingwith the converter, an inletvalve to regulate the entrance of the fluid,and means forming part of and controlled by axial movement of one ofsaid journals to actuate the valve, substantially as described.

5. In a self-regulating distilling apparatus, a support, a converter.provided With hollow journals forming fluid-inlet and vapor-outletpassages therefor, a tubular bearing for the outletjournal, a stationaryvalve case, a valve on the inlet-journal movable in the valve-case,whereby oscillation of the converter regulates the passage of Huidthereinto, and a counterbalance for the converter, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

SAMUEL LAWRENCE BIGELOW. lVitnesses JOHN C. EDWARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN.

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